YS

If there's one album for which I'll boldly confirm the 5 star warning notice for the 80th time out of 800 reviews in 8 months, it's sure Il Balleto Di Bronzo's Ys. This album is the perfect choice for celebrating a passion for music being turned into a manic obsession!

It's the band's second album and as with most RPI bands, the artistic vision and maturity reached so early in the career is stunning. It's as if the whole country was caught in a blizzard of youthful energy and creativity.

Il Balleto Di Bronzo crafted a jewel of an album here. Split into 5 separate tracks, the album makes for one continuous listen. Only the CD bonustrack La Tua Casa Comoda stands apart from the remainder of the album. The music is very eclectic and hard to describe as they don't have a dominating influence from one particular band or style. There are traces of 60's acid rock, there's experimental jazz-rock in the vein of Soft Machine, there are organ parts and time signatures reminiscent of ELP, there a classical (baroque) influences and of course, as on so many early RPI albums, there's a looming presence of Van Der Graaf Generator lunacy. The sound is energetic, frantic and rocking.

The vocals especially are very special, Gianni Leone doesn't sing in conventional melodic ways but uses his voice almost like a horn, jabbing and punching anxiously like Miles Davis' trumpet. It's a bit off-putting at first but it's very original and it fits very well in the overall sound. Looking at the band pictures, these guys also really look the part. Most metal bands could only dream to look so spontaneously scary and cool as them.

In a genre renowned for its difficult band and album names, the title Ys is a relief. Finally an album title I can pronounce without biting my tongue. Be careful though as it's the only thing that is readily accessible about this album. The music is so unique and bewildering that it needs many repeated listens before it might starts making sense. Dazzling and absolutely essential.